The free world is the new continent in cyberspace that we have built so we can live here in freedom. It's impossible to live in freedom in the old world of cyberspace, where every program has its feudal lord that bullies and mistreats the users. So, to live in freedom we have to build a new continent. Because this is a virtual continent, it has room for everyone, and there are no immigration restrictions. - Richard Stallman -

Vyatta software is a complete, ready-to-use, Debian-based distribution that is designed to transform standard x86 hardware into an enterprise-class router / firewall.

Vyatta software includes support for commonly used network interfaces, and industry-standard routing protocols and management protocols.

Unlike previous open-source routing projects, all these features are configurable via a single command-line interface (CLI) or web-based graphical user interface (GUI).

Vyatta software is available as a free Community Edition as well as tiered Software Subscriptions that include maintenance, upgrades and support.

Tom McCafferty has announced the release of Vyatta 6.1, a new version of the Debian-based distribution for firewalls are routers: "Vyatta, the leader in open networking and network virtualization, today announced Vyatta 6.1, the latest release of the company’s open network OS encompassing enterprise-class routing and network security. With several key advances including IPv6 certification, cloud-specific features and enhanced security, Vyatta continues to expand the applicability of software-based networking across physical, virtual and cloud infrastructures. Vyatta 6.1 has received IPv6 Ready Logo Phase 2 certification, verifying the implementation of IPv6 core routing protocols. For cloud providers and enterprises moving applications or servers to the cloud, Layer 2 cloud bridging allows physically separate networks to securely communicate with each other over the internet as if they were on a single Ethernet network."

Vyatta's open source, software-based approach to networking allows us to deliver a complete network OS that can connect and secure enterprise and service provider networks as well as virtual and cloud infrastructures. Vyatta software and appliances offer users a flexible, affordable alternative to proprietary, hardware-based, routers, firewalls, VPN concentrators and intrusion prevention devices.

Vyatta develops and delivers three distinct packages of the Vyatta open networking software:

A commercial version of the Vyatta network OS (Vyatta Subscription Edition) is also available with enterprise-ready management and security product extensions and complete engineering support including proactive notifications of security alerts and software releases as well as priority access to patches & bug fixes. Vyatta SE is available as pre-integrated hardware appliances, software subscriptions and optimized virtual machines that include your choice of technical support level.

Broad Set of Enhancements.

Vyatta Version 6.1 enhancements include:

Vyatta Core 6.1

Layer 2 Bridging / Cloud Bridging

Stateful Firewall/NAT Failover

LLDP - Link Layer Discovery Protocol

QoS Input Interfaces

Port Mirroring and Redirection

BGP Hop Count Security

DHCPv6

IPv6 BGP

IPv6 SNMP

GTSM BGP

More Than 120 Bug Fixes

Vyatta Subscription Edition

IPv6 Ready Logo Phase 2 Certification

Configuration Replication

Remote Access API Enhancements

TACACS+ Enhancements

Vyatta Plus

Vyatta Snort VRT IPS Rules: Vyatta now offers the official Sourcefire/Snort VRT rule-base as a subscription service. This new add-on service allows customers to proactively protect systems by accessing updates to the Sourcefire VRT rule-base directly from Vyatta as new vulnerabilities are found.